Business visitors attending meetings, events and conferences in Canada
Follow these steps to find out what you need and how to apply.
Step 1: Find out if you’re a business visitor or if you need to apply for a work permit instead
Business visitors are persons who stay in Canada for a few days or a few weeks to attend meetings or an event, and can stay for up to 6 months.
To qualify as a business visitor to Canada, you must show that
- you plan to stay for less than 6 months
- you don’t plan to enter the Canadian labour market
- your main place of business, and source of income and profits is outside Canada
- you have documents that support your application
- you meet Canada’s basic entry requirements, because you
- have a valid travel document, such as a passport
- have enough money for your stay and to return home
- plan to leave Canada at the end of your visit
- are not a criminal, security or health risk to Canadians
If you plan to stay for more than 6 months or plan to work in Canada, you may be considered a temporary worker and have to apply for a work permit.
Activities you may conduct as a business visitor include
- buying Canadian goods or services for a foreign business or government
- taking orders for goods or services
- going to meetings, conferences, conventions or trade fairs
- giving after-sales service as part of a warranty or sales agreement
- being trained by a Canadian parent company that you work for outside Canada
- training employees of a Canadian branch of a foreign company
- being trained by a Canadian company that has sold you equipment or services
Under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, a U S or Mexican national may also take part in other activities, such as research, marketing and general services. For more information, see the Global Affairs Canada website.
Step 2: Find out if you need a visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada
If you qualify as a business visitor, answer a few questions to find out what you may need to apply for, and which documents you’ll need to come to Canada.
Step 3: Check with your meeting, event or conference organizer to get an event code (if applicable)
If you need a visitor visa to travel to Canada and your meeting, event or conference is registered with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), your organizer will provide you with an event code and instructions about how to apply for a visa.
- Entering the event code on your visa application form helps identify you as a participant of an event registered with us.
Step 4: Apply for a visa or an eTA if you need one
For paid Canadian VISA services, reach out to Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants at YISHAN Immigration Services via email at [email protected]. Please be aware that YISHAN is not associated with ISoP or its Local Committee, and the Visa Application process is completely independent from the Annual Meeting organizers.
Minors travelling with you to Canada
Canada has laws and regulations to protect children. Delegates who plan to travel with a child (17 years of age or younger) should consult the entry requirements for minors.
Request Invitation Letter supporting your VISA application
If you require a Visa we can provide you with an Invitation Letter for your application process. Please consider that we can provide invitation letters only for paid registrations or if you are an invited speaker.
Please write to Sofía Rodriguez [email protected] requesting your Canadian Invitation Letter.
For paid Canadian VISA services, reach out to Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants at YISHAN Immigration Services via email at [email protected]. Please be aware that YISHAN is not associated with ISoP or its Local Committee, and the Visa Application process is completely independent from the Annual Meeting organizers.
Contact details: Shannon Xu [email protected]
